Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement this evening after Republicans blocked several measures on the Senate floor to prevent teacher layoffs, help states afford health coverage for low-income and elderly residents, and approve a long overdue settlement for minority farmers:

“We are here to solve problems, and Nevadans have grown weary of unreasonable Republican delay tactics that prioritize their petty political calculations over our progress as a nation. Republican obstruction is poisoning the environment in Washington and blocking critical support for families and businesses across the country. Every time Democrats take steps to assist our recovery, Republicans throw up a wall of obstruction that ends up hurting middle-class families and small businesses.

“This evening, after Democrats agreed to a series of amendments Republicans asked for, Republicans reversed course and blocked us from moving forward with small business legislation – the centerpiece of which includes a bipartisan amendment offered by the Republican Senator from Florida. At the same time they also blocked us from providing assistance to states to help them provide health care for the elderly and low-income families, stopped funding to prevent teacher layoffs and stood in the way of long overdue justice for minority farmers.

“Democrats will keep fighting to protect our middle class, and we will not allow Republican obstruction to derail our economic recovery.”

Video of Democratic efforts to move forward on this legislation on the Senate floor this evening can be viewed HERE.